Michigan group delays corporate disclosure measure

Angela Wittrock | MLive Media Group, fileIn this file photo, Jocelyn Benson and citizen activists launch a ballot drive to require more disclosure in political spending by corporations. The Associated Press was told Sunday that backers have decided to postpone their efforts.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan group has decided against trying to get a measure on the November ballot requiring far more disclosure of corporate donations to special interest groups.

The Corporate Accountability Amendment's campaign co-chairwoman told The Associated Press on Sunday that backers have decided to postpone their efforts until 2014.

Wayne State University law professor Jocelyn Benson says town hall meetings will be held to increase support for the constitutional amendment.

The group would have had to collect 322,609 signatures by July 9 to get it on the November ballot.

Republicans had complained the measure didn't require unions that gave money to special interest groups to face the same disclosure standards as corporations.

Recent court and government rulings have enabled corporations and other well-financed donors to give unlimited money to political committees.